Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Nearly lost her today.

I know that most riders ( not all though) refer to their bikes as "her" I personally don't.
I am referring to my Wife. I'm not writing this in an appeal for sympathy or pity but to just let my feelings out! I've never personally met anyone from the site but I can feel a genuine type of concern that prompts me to "open up".

My wife has a hereditary disease called Primary Billiary Cirrhosis of her liver.
It's not caused from alcohol abuse but scarring of the liver prevents it from functioning properly. This in turn causes the blood vessels in her esophagus to expand and become varicose. When it becomes too much the blood vessel ruptures causing internal bleeding. This then makes her anemic and lethargic.
Last night 3 veins in her esophagus burst and she was vomiting blood. After calling 911 at 11pm. and waiting for them she vomited again and left a pool of blood a foot round on the floor. She was taken to hospital and given 1 unit of blood(1 pint) then transferred to a different hospital where she received TWO more pints of blood. Around 2 O'clock in the afternoon she was in surgery to band the varicose veins. She tried to call me before she went into surgery to let me know about it, but i was at home getting some sleep as i'd been up 28hrs. Luckily all turned out well and the hospital were prepared for the worst if it occurred ( which didn't).
We feel like we are invincible at times and so fragile at others. As i reflect on the last 24HRS. i feel so little and humble but also grateful for all the medical personnel that dealt with my wife as i sat by and watched it all unfold before me. It takes a "SPECIAL" type of person to be in the medical field and i can only offer my "HEARTFELT THANKS AND GRATITUDE" for the care and attention they have showered upon her in her time of need.
As many of you may know I'm a Machinist and have made many things that amaze people. This pales in comparison to what the Medical Folk have done for my wife in the last 24Hrs. I sincerely appreciate all the attention and care that has been given to my wife by all the professional medical people during her time of need. I can only offer a sincere and heartfelt "THANKYOU" to ALL medical people out there among us "Regular" Working Folk. Thank you for letting me pour my heart out to you in this time of need, it relieves a great burden from my shoulders, Desmond Young.

Hey Des, I'm glad your wife is doing better mate.

The medical people of our word are true heroes, I have a lot of respect for them, it's not something I could do.

All the best.

Good to hear she will be OK. I had a friend when I was growing up that had varicose veins in his esophagus that he had to have many surgeries for. He was born with the condition, have no idea if it had anything to do with his liver or not.

Glad she got the help she needed. Nothing makes us feel more helpless than watching a loved one in distress and knowing we don't know how to "fix" it.

The medical community does do some amazing things.

I'll add a prayer.

There are a few professions that require a certain kind of person, law enforcement, fire fighters, teachers, and health care!! Anyone who takes on any of those has to be admired!! And yes some are good at it and some are not so good but all that said thank god these people are called to it!! I also grew up knowing a girl that had this problem and can remember how that was and what that family was always going thru. I seem to recall there was a long time that they did not know what was wrong when she was a teen. I can only wish for you a cure for this but I know that there are not a lot of people with this ( as now I have known or heard of 2) and that means it is not high on the list for cure finds. It sounds as if you know what to do when this rears it's ugly head in your household and I hope that she can always get the attention she needs when it is needed !! Good luck to you my friend and maybe someday someone will find a true fix!!

Desmond, when you love somebody as much as you obviously love your wife, it can be so very difficult when they're not well. I am grateful for you for a positive outcome. I know it's not in the least bit easy. My sweetheart is facing open heart surgery for the 2nd time and there are times I'm a mess just thinking about it. Here's to hoping for a smoother future for the two of you.

Having just last night/this morning been in the emergency room for my Mom, I totally understand what you are saying Desmond. I have utmost respect and gratitude for those in the medical profession.

I am glad your wife is doing better!

Glad she is ok now.

It is good to hear that she is in the hands of competent professionals.

I've/am there my friend. I wish you strength. And don't forget to take care of yourself. I wish you and your wife the best.

This community has always been here for each other, so no problem sharing with us, we are just a big extended family.

It's true that medical expertise has made great strides in the lats few decades. I know myself, brother and sister would not be here without having had intensive care in the hospital.

I'm glad there was more scare than harm in your story.

Tell her to get well soon and wish you two spend a great many years together.

I'd just like to echo all that's been said here Des, and to add my heartfelt wishes for your wife's complete recovery.

I also thought your statement of gratitude toward those in the medical profession was nicely stated.

Des, it sounds like your wife is a real fighter. Glad to hear she pulled through. You can see she really cares for you....trying to phone to give you an update just before surgery... I'm impressed!!! One fine lady.

May the two of you have many more years together.

i didnt know you admired me newt

Thanks for everyones best wishes, my Wife came home today and got to see her specialist too. He's a Endocrynologist and explained that this could happen again. She may need a procedure called TIPS, they go in and put a bypass line on her liver which helps reduce the pressure on the esophagus veins. Even that is just a temporary fix till she gets a liver transplant. I wish it was me that had the problem and not her. We're taking it day by day and she is going to retire April 30 2015. I kept reaching out for her in bed the last few nights and then realized she wasn't there, she won't get away from me tonight though. Well its time to get close to her and it sure feels good, Thanks again for the support it really helps. Des.

Hang in there Des, as I know you will. You are a good man supporting a very good woman. May the two of you remain together for many, many years to come. Your love and devotion is moving to say the least.

My mother-in-law had the same condition, luckily she never had an episode like you had to deal with. I'm glad to hear she's doing better, and I hope she gets that transplant. Organ donors deserve a shout out too imho.